Honi has been provided with the following screenshot, ostensibly indicating the TUU design was submitted to their OWeek working group prior to the publication of the USU’s 2016 material:

USU President Alisha Aitken-Radburn expressed her displeasure at the alleged copycat design.

“How blatantly the Tasmania University Union’s OWeek logo was ‘inspired’ by our own is what really astonished [me],” she said.“We can’t hold too much against them but I can’t help but be a little disappointed for the OWeek directors who put heaps of creative energy into the concept.”

Aitken-Radburn indicated that at the time of publication there had been no attempt to gain permission to use the material to her knowledge, but the USU did not have an intention of asking the content be removed.

Alison Xiao and Jacinta Keast, the USU OWeek directors, told Honi they were flattered by the similarities.

“We all know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The USU’s design team is brilliant, you can definitely see why they would’ve been inspired by it. Thanks TUU for the extra promo of what we hope will be a killer OWeek.”

Aquatic branding has been somewhat of a trend for OWeek celebrations this year. UNSW’s Arc student organisation has themed their week “immerse yourself”, with a nautical aesthetic.

In fairness, the TUU did manage to distinguish themselves in one way, failing to replicate the long list of corporate sponsors present on the USU’s promotional material.

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